DJ

MEET DAKOTA JACKSON

In a career spanning over five decades, Dakota Jackson has been one of the leading figures in American furniture design.

Since the early seventies, when he emerged as a major contributor to the Art Furniture movement, each of his seminal designs has been a combination of exquisite craft, intriguing engineering, and original form.

Born to a family of professional magicians, in a world filled with escape artists, mind readers, and bullet catchers, Jackson grew up on the stage, where he learned the extreme discipline of the performer. As a young man, he immersed himself in the minimalist dance and performance art scenes taking shape in the abandoned factory lofts of 1970s Soho. These experiences with illusion and spectacle have deeply informed his design sensibilities.

Noteworthy among his designs is the Library Chair™, first developed for architect James Ingo Freed’s San Francisco Public Library and currently in use in libraries across the country, including Harvard, NYU, Stanford, and Cesar Pelli’s Minneapolis Public Library.

Jackson’s signature body of work also includes several design collaborations with Steinway & Sons.

In 2000, Steinway invited him to design the TriCentennial Piano, an edition of 300 pianos commemorating the 300th anniversary of the instrument’s invention. In 2013, Jackson and Steinway introduced the Arabesque Limited Edition Grand Concert piano, which celebrates the 160th anniversary of the founding of Steinway & Sons.

The Arabesque was honored with a 2014 Red Dot Award for innovative product design, a historic honor for both Jackson and Steinway as this is the first Steinway piano to receive the prestigious accolade.

His latest design, The Black Diamond Grand Concert Piano is Jackson’s homage to virtuoso classical pianist, Lang Lang. Manufactured in collaboration with Steinway, the limited edition Black Diamond received international press after its 2019 premier in locations including the Philharmonie de Paris as well as The Peninsula Shanghai and Beijing.

DJ

MEET DAKOTA JACKSON

In a career spanning over five decades, Dakota Jackson has been one of the leading figures in American furniture design.

Since the early seventies, when he emerged as a major contributor to the Art Furniture movement, each of his seminal designs has been a combination of exquisite craft, intriguing engineering, and original form.

Born to a family of professional magicians, in a world filled with escape artists, mind readers, and bullet catchers, Jackson grew up on the stage, where he learned the extreme discipline of the performer.

As a young man, he immersed himself in the minimalist dance and performance art scenes taking shape in the abandoned factory lofts of 1970s Soho. These experiences with illusion and spectacle have deeply informed his design sensibilities.

Noteworthy among his designs is the Library Chair™, first developed for architect James Ingo Freed’s San Francisco Public Library and currently in use in libraries across the country, including Harvard, NYU, Stanford, and Cesar Pelli’s Minneapolis Public Library.

Jackson’s signature body of work also includes several design collaborations with Steinway & Sons.

In 2000, Steinway invited him to design the TriCentennial Piano, an edition of 300 pianos commemorating the 300th anniversary of the instrument’s invention. In 2013, Jackson and Steinway introduced the Arabesque Limited Edition Grand Concert piano, which celebrates the 160th anniversary of the founding of Steinway & Sons.

The Arabesque was honored with a 2014 Red Dot Award for innovative product design, a historic honor for both Jackson and Steinway as this is the first Steinway piano to receive the prestigious accolade.

His latest design, The Black Diamond Grand Concert Piano is Jackson’s homage to virtuoso classical pianist, Lang Lang. Manufactured in collaboration with Steinway, the limited edition Black Diamond received international press after its 2019 premier in locations including the Philharmonie de Paris as well as The Peninsula Shanghai and Beijing.

Dakota Jackson furniture has been featured in collections of the world’s most exclusive museums and galleries:

The opportunity of partnering with extraordinary companies and accomplished individuals are some of the most satisfying moments in my career”

THE STORY OF DAKOTA JACKSON

1960s - 70s

The Magician

Born into three generations of professional magicians, in a world filled with escape artists, mind readers, and bullet catchers, Jackson grew up on the stage, acknowledging the importance of these early experiences in his approach to his work as furniture designer: “The demands of performance taught me how to discipline myself to achieve aesthetic ends.” Photo: “Jackson Bites the Bullet” Documented in Andy Warhol’s Interview Magazine.

1970s

The Performer

Jackson was a member of both Trisha Brown and Laura Dean dance companies as well as a performer in Tokyo Kid Brothers Rock Opera Troupe at the experimental theatre club La MaMa. He continues to focus on movement as well as music, writing and the arts.

1970 - Present

THE BUILDER & RESTORER

Dakota Jackson began building in his loft apartment in Chelsea, during the height of the 70’s art scene. Recognized for his work by antique dealers, he began restoring the finest works of furniture including those of Pierre Chareau. His work caught the eye of Yoko One who commissioned Jackson to create a mystery puzzle box desk to gift John Lennon on his 34th birthday.

1970s - Present

THE FURNITURE DESIGNER

Commissioned to design “Eclipse Bed” for Diane Von Furstenberg’s 30th birthday, Jackson created a piece in wood, satin and metal with build in lighting display that reacts to outside lighting. Commissions grew Jackson’s business to a place where his collection began to serve the interior design community. Above in bronze metal with mirror is a piece from an early collection called “Lickables.”

1978 - Present

THE HOUSE OF DESIGN

An original contributor to the American Arts Furniture Movement, Jackson expanded manufacturing and design, becoming the fourth largest industrial manufacturer in New York.

1980 - Present

DESIGN ON DISPLAY

Dakota Jackson works can be seen in museums and galleries worldwide. Pieces include the above Cosmoledo couch designed originally for the Oprah Winfrey Show. The sofa has interchangeable sections with angled seats designed to increase the intimacy between Oprah and her guests. Currently in the Collection of Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture.

1978 - Present

THE PIANO DESIGNER

Dakota Jackson comes from a musical background, with an appreciation for collecting instruments. He has performed concerts at Carnegie Hall and continues to play recitals for Steinway & Sons internationally. In 1978, his love of the piano lead him to opening a piano factory alongside his furniture manufacturing in LIC New York. Steinway invited Jackson to design a piano for the 300th anniversary of the instrument in the year 2000. Dakota Jackson continues his partnership with Steinway as well as designs and co-creates custom pianos for personal clientele.

THE STORY OF DAKOTA JACKSON

1960s - 70s

The Magician

Born into three generations of professional magicians, in a world filled with escape artists, mind readers, and bullet catchers, Jackson grew up on the stage, acknowledging the importance of these early experiences in his approach to his work as furniture designer: “The demands of performance taught me how to discipline myself to achieve aesthetic ends.” Photo: “Jackson Bites the Bullet” Documented in Andy Warhol’s Interview Magazine.

1970s

The Performer

Jackson was a member of both Trisha Brown and Laura Dean dance companies as well as a performer in Tokyo Kid Brothers Rock Opera Troupe at the experimental theatre club La MaMa. He continues to focus on movement as well as music, writing and the arts.

1970 - Present

THE BUILDER & RESTORER

Dakota Jackson began building in his loft apartment in Chelsea, during the height of the 70’s art scene. Recognized for his work by antique dealers, he began restoring the finest works of furniture including those of Pierre Chareau. His work caught the eye of Yoko One who commissioned Jackson to create a mystery puzzle box desk to gift John Lennon on his 34th birthday.

1970s - Present

THE FURNITURE DESIGNER

Commissioned to design “Eclipse Bed” for Diane Von Furstenberg’s 30th birthday, Jackson created a piece in wood, satin and metal with build in lighting display that reacts to outside lighting. Commissions grew Jackson’s business to a place where his collection began to serve the interior design community. Above in bronze metal with mirror is a piece from an early collection called “Lickables.”

1978 - Present

THE HOUSE OF DESIGN

An original contributor to the American Arts Furniture Movement, Jackson expanded manufacturing and design, becoming the fourth largest industrial manufacturer in New York.

1980 - Present

DESIGN ON DISPLAY

Dakota Jackson works can be seen in museums and galleries worldwide. Pieces include the above Cosmoledo couch designed originally for the Oprah Winfrey Show. The sofa has interchangeable sections with angled seats designed to increase the intimacy between Oprah and her guests. Currently in the Collection of Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture.

1978 - Present

THE PIANO DESIGNER

Dakota Jackson comes from a musical background, with an appreciation for collecting instruments. He has performed concerts at Carnegie Hall and continues to play recitals for Steinway & Sons internationally. In 1978, his love of the piano lead him to opening a piano factory alongside his furniture manufacturing in LIC New York. Steinway invited Jackson to design a piano for the 300th anniversary of the instrument in the year 2000. Dakota Jackson continues his partnership with Steinway as well as designs and co-creates custom pianos for personal clientele.